Kapidex / Dexilant (dexlansoprazole): another stupid drug that should not exist.

by ludditeandroid

UPDATE: To avoid being confused with Casodex, Kapidex has changed its name to Dexilant.

Every pharmaceutical trade magazine I’ve been reading recently has an ad for Kapidex (dexlansoprazole) in it. What a coincidence that this drug is coming out now. Dexlansoprazole is the R-isomer of Lansoprazole. In other words, Kapidex is the active isomer of Prevacid, a drug that is supposed to go generic this November. What a coincidence that this drug was released now, less than six months before Prevacid goes generic. Kapidex, by the way, costs around five dollars per pill.

Another lovely thing Takeda Pharmaceuticals did with this product is provide an oh-so-helpful comparison chart in their print ad. They compare Kapidex 30 mg and 60 mg with Lansoprazole 30 mg. Notice something misleading about that? Well, since Kapidex is the active isomer, they’re comparing 30 mg of Prevacid to something that is similar to 60 mg or 120 mg of Prevacid. Then they say, “Look, this is stronger, doctor, and the cash price is comparable (for now). You should switch all your patients over before Prevacid goes generic and gets way cheaper 6 months from now.”

Man, I just can’t wait till we get that first prescription for this overpriced, unethical, system-bloating rebranded drug. I’ll be counting those pills thinking, “5 . . . this is why I can’t afford good insurance . . . 10 . . . this is why I can’t afford good insurance . . . 15 . . . this is why I can’t afford good insurance . . .”

Hey Sally. There are two generic drugs that are similar — Omeprazole (generic for prilosec) and Pantaprazole (generic for protonix) — Omeprazole being the cheapest, and available both OTC and with a prescription.

Kapidex is the active isomer of Prevacid, which is supposed to go generic in a few months but it will still be expensive for awhile.

If you call your doctor’s office and tell them you didn’t fill the prescription because it’s too expensive, they should fax a new prescription for something cheaper to your pharmacy. PLEASE tell them that “Kapidex is just the active isomer of Prevacid and Prevacid goes generic soon”. The doctor needs to know that.

I have tried all generic and OTC acid reflux medications out there and absolutely none of them have helped me with my extreme acid reflux like Kapidex has. Yes, it is expensive, but with my insurance and the $45 instant savings card that you can get at the Kapidex website, I only pay $15 a month.

I have tried the generic prevacid and it did not work at all ! I’m trying to find out how much 60 mg., 30 pills would cost me. I am on medicare plus on my husbands medical insurance at his work. Can you answer this for me?

That’s surprising. The generic prescription prevacid we have where I work is a repack of the brand name (meaning the brand name company repackaged their own pills and are selling it as a generic to keep making some profit off it). Were you taking an over-the-counter one? If so, were you taking the correct dose? (The OTC is a lower strength, I think.)

” I’m trying to find out how much 60 mg., 30 pills would cost me. I am on medicare plus on my husbands medical insurance at his work. Can you answer this for me?”

There are hundreds of permutations of medicare D plans, plus thousands upon thousands of permutations of private insurance plans, so I’d have no way of knowing what your plan says, or if you need to pay a deductible on both plans since it’s the beginning of the year (about half of med D plans have a $315 deductible for 2010).

I was given samples of Kapidex by my doctor. On the second day after taking Kapidex I had 7 seizures (which I had never had before) and was hospitalized for 4 days and ran through every test known to modern medicine: results of all tests were negative but the total cost was over $30,000. Never took another Kapidex and have not had any more seizures.

I cannot tolerate prilosec (gave me tremors) or prevacid (extreme nausea and headaches). I have no problems with kapidex, and it completely takes care of my heartburn. Insurance refuses to pay for it. Instead wants me to take twice the dose of the tremor or nausea inducing drugs.

kapidex giving anyone else extreme nausea? I have not been able to walk for days I have such nausea and headaches from this drug. Will it wear off soon? I have been off of it for 48 hours and and seems to take forever to get out of your system? Anyone else experience this?

Her MD put my 82 yr old mother on Kapidex for acid reflux & hiatal hernia. At about 36 hrs, her mental acuity showed marked deterioration. At 48 hrs, she was unable to concentrate on even simple tasks. At 72 hrs she suffered a seizure, after which she was disoriented and very weak. She was hospitalized for 5 days, where they ruled out stroke or TIA, but could not explain the seizure. They released her & she went back on her home meds, including Kapidex. However, she soon returned to hospital due to acute uninary tract infection caused by catheter from prior stay. Shortly after returning to the hospital, she experienced another seizure causing a Code Blue response. They revived her. Analysis of events and drug administration suggests cause/effect between Kapidex and the seizures. No Kapidex at hospital and no more seizures. Confusion is diminishing and mental acuity is returning.

I was put on Kapidex April 8. My gastro-enterologist gave me sample packets for constant heartburn/acid reflux over many many months that omeprazole gave only part relief. I also take a low dose BP med, so I have to watch drug interactions. I felt immediate relief with Kapidex inside 36 hours. No seizures, nausea, tremors, etc. Just had an endoscopy to ascertain any esophagus damage. I was blessed with very little, but do have a small hiatal hernia that will not need surgery. The Kapidex seems to suit my physical criteria. What it doesn’t suit is the high cost. It is not covered by my husband’s health insurance. I signed up for Instant Savings Coupon on the Kapidex website before I ever found out our plan does not cover it at all. It’s probably going to cost me $50 to $80 per month out of pocket WITH the coupon. We’re not made of money, so what to do. This is only the second ongoing script in my life, and I’m over 60. When you find the silver bullet for your symptoms, how do you weigh the exorbitant cost against it? I will be calling the G-E doctor and seeing if something like Protonix will be as effective. But I’m thinking it’s not going to like the BP med. Never been in this position before…

I want to know why doctors prescribe new, expensive drugs for acid reflux (and other problems)when there are good generic OTC meds for a lot less. (Do they get perks for prescribing new drugs?)Now because Tagamet is OTC, doctors won’t touch it. Fifteen years ago it was the treatment of choice. I found out that the dosage they recommend on the box (200mg) isn’t even a therapeutic dose (400-800mg). Of course, 200mg didn’t work for me. I bought another box and am now taking 400mg–it works–surprise!!

Besides, look at all the drugs you hear about being pulled because of serious side effects and/or death. Have these new drugs really been tested enough or are we the guinea pigs??

Dexilant is far superior to the generic drugs out there. That’s a scientific fact. 2 releases of drug shut down acid producing cells that generic drugs would have no chance of shutting down since the half life of all ppi’s is 1-2 hours.

Dexilant is the only drug I’ve tried that works for me. I’ve tried Nexium, Prilosec, Tums, Rolaids, Tagamet, Zantac,Prevacid, and none of them worked. I was getting multiple ulcers in my esophagus until I started taking Dexilant. I recently had a scope shoved down my throat again to see how I was doing and I am on the mend. I also haven’t had any side-effects, so don’t know what that’s about.

You may think it shouldn’t exist, but I for one am glad it does. No more sleepless nights and chronic pain.

My Dr. gave me samples of Dexilant for a differant problem. I was having problems after eating and would have to find a bathroom within 10 min of the meal. I also had very bad stomach pain. The Dr. said that I was making too much acid causing the rapid digestion. I’m looking for an over the counter equivalant.

My doc recently gave me samples of Dexilant. I am having the most discusting burps known to man. My husband walked into the room after I had burped not knowing I had done so and was like, what smells so horrible. This was from across the room. I have the burps when I’m going to throw up and normally only then so I thought it was that I was going to get sick that day. I remembered I had forgotten to take my Dexilant and by the end of the day, those burps stopped. I am on a blood thinner, Aggronox, simvastatian for cholestrol and mavik for bp. I was also having issues to not msking it to the bathroom as I would get little sign of having to go and when I try to make it, I couldn’t hold it so needless to say some clothing was thrown away in the process. After taking the Dexilant, I no longer have those issues. I do agree that the price is out of this world. I have insurance through my hubby, but I called earlier in the week and the head doc did call in my rx but when i called back that it needed a prior authorization, they dropped the ball and didn’t take care of it. I called my doc 2 days later and they took care of the authorization, but now waiting on the insurance to send back the approval number so it can be filled. So I’ve been off it only 24 hours and I’m already having sympthoms. I found the discount online at the web site, but i gotta get the thing rilled before i can use any of it. But like the other person said, how can you weigh the cost of something compare to your health. sorry to hear some have issues with this drug, but I’m thankful for it as nothing else had worked. Plus doesn’t end up being much less in cost after having to take like 6 to 8 pills of prevacid or prilocet to equal my dose of one 60mg pill of dexilant.

I’m a nurse – and I will attest to the fact that while dexilant is expensive, it is stronger than any other antacid on the market. Extended release makes it much more powerful, and personally I’ve had wonderful results. I have a hiatal hernia and I’ve tried everything at their max doses – prilosec (omerprazole), prevacid (lansoprazole), high dose zantac, protonix…failed on them all with horrible pain and sleepless nights until I found this drug. Side effects are possible with it but that’s true with any drug, so I’m really sorry if you or someone you know experienced any – but I for one am really grateful for this medication.
One drug doesn’t work the same way for everyone, so please stop touting OTC’s when some of us out here are suffering b/c they don’t work for us. If you find something cheaper and less powerful that works well in your situation, great! But please don’t get upset or think you know everything about this drug or everyone else’s symptoms or situation…especially since you likely have little to no medical training.

I am a survivor of throat cancer so acid reflux is a pain. It also kills my voice for a week or so and my voice is how I make a living. Dexilant ends it. My problem is the price. They sent me a discount card that would have taken care of the issue. Went to get a refill. Card is no good. I’m over 65 and have medicare. Medicare disqualifies me. 65 disqualifies me. Are these guys into population control? Or do they think I’m not going to be around long enough to tell everyone how great the stuff is.

I can just barely afford the extra cost but it’s a hardship. If I was a few years younger, it’s virtually free. Does that sound right?

Thank you everyone for the helpful information. I got 60mg samples of Dexilant from my doctor and it works wonders for me too! I had chest pains that woke me up at night, and sporadic heartburn…when taking Dexilant–symptoms gone!! Very little side effects too, which were mild: slight upset stomach and loose stool, but it’s well worth taking Dexilant despite the side effects.

I have tried other meds too: Prilosec was not very effective for me, and had stronger side effects. After my Dexilant samples ran out, my doctor said that OTC Prevacid (Lansoprazole) is the same thing! Only difference is(if you know anything of organic chemistry) the isomer differences–(see the intro article at the very top of this page).

So, I tried Prevacid but was disappointed. Strong side effects including: palpitations, nausea, headache. Not to mention Prevacid was not as effective for heartburn as Dexilant.

Now, we can theorize why Prevacid is not as good as Dexilant. Prevacid has both enantiomers of the drug, while Dexilant has only the correct (active) isomer. In biochemistry, usually only 1 active isomer is effective on the body, while the other inactive isomer is responsible for adverse effects (including side effects).

Sooo we can see why Dexilant is more expensive! I used the coupon on their website and saved 50% on the prescription at Walgreens ($75 instead of $150). Oh, and my Regence insurance did NOT cover any of the cost unfortunately. It’s interesting how much markup and money schemes drug companies do to make their profits. But, like someone said above, you can’t really put a price on your health, so I will probably stick with the Dexilant. Good luck and good health to everyone else out there!!

This is a very mis-leading article. What makes this product unique is its two releases. There’s really no value in my opinion in the enantiomer itself (something other companies have done with products like Nexium vs Prilosec or Lexapro vs Celexa). The strength is double compared to Lansoprazole because approximately 25% of the product is initially released (i.e., if it were 30mg dose as Prevacid, then the initial release would only be 7.5mg, a sub-therapeutic dose)and the other 75% is released at a higher pH a few hours later. The idea of the two releases is prolonged exposure to the medicine to prevent breakthrough symptoms. Seems like the author should have done more homework before jumping on a political soap box with no scientific justification for such non-sense.

I have had Gerd for many years and i have tried every medication available. I developed Barrett’s Disease from severe Gerd Acid Reflux. I had to have Halo Ablations and it is a very painful procedure. I just had my 3rd endoscopy to make sure that my throat was free of barrett’s disease. my doctor prescibed Dexilant and i have started it. It is really working for me….i take 60mg twice a day. It is worth the money! I am hoping that i don’t have any more health issues with my throat. I will tell you that if you have reflux problems….you should really take medications that your gastro doctor presribes. Barrett’s Tissue can lead to throat cancer. I didn’t even think twice about the surgery to remove that tissue…after hearing that it can turn to cancer very quickly if the tissue has been in there and untreated. The procedure “Halo Ablation” is a fairly new procedure. I thank God they had this procedure available when i was diagnosed. Barrett’s Tissue was a death sentence…before this procedure was available. I hope this has helped some!!!!! It is nothing to play with!!! If you have questions….feel free to ask. PJ
PJ

I’ve got a question PJ. Why are you being a complete lunatic in the comments section of the cats eating yogurt post here? And why do you think a video off of YouTube has me in it? Have you ever been on the internet before?

Hi I just got Dexilant 60 mg yesterday I had mild acid reflex I’m scared to take it I hate taking med’s My MD doctor gave them to me I get heartburn at night sometimes during the day it depends what I eat. he is not sure if I have gred tums works fine for me I have been having a lot of panic attacks with stress and he thinks that I have been developing more acid in my stomach. I hope this works for me He only wants me to take it for 8 weeks the previcd works for me I got no heartburn but I noticed that 1 week later that I was off it I was getting heartburn again maybe its because of all the stress I have in my life. Thanks to you all for putting how Dexilant works. How do you know if you have GRED I get heartburn like 3 times week at night, sometimes during the day it depends what i eat.

I was on Nexium, but for cost reasons went on priolec 2x20mgs a day. After 3 years, 40mgs wasn’t working so well, havign to up it to 60, so the doc put me on Dexilant. My first two days on it have been awful. Stomach cramps, nausea, cold like symptoms and a bit of itchiness. Guess I’ll go back to prilosec or try protonix.

I have mild Barretts, so I have to be on PPI’s. My esophagus doesn’t have a closer to the stomach like most people, (a genetic thing) so acid is horrible if I don’t take it.

Charity,
If you say Tums work for you, why are you trying a potent drug like Dexilant? If Tums don’t always work, why not start out with Zantac or Pepcid AC. You might also try to keep a record of what you eat and see what affects you. If you have been diagnosed with GERD or have damage to your esophagus or throat, that’s a different story.

This drug is the only one that has worked for me! Have tried all of the other OTC and RX drugs since 2002, none of them worked. Three endoscopies, and 5 Gastro Docs later and I feel better after one week on this drug. Expensive….. yes.

Early January I discovered a book that has helped me so much. It’s name Dropping Acid, A Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure by Dr. Jamie Koufman and 2 others- the 3rd being a master french chef. Dr. Koufman is a world renowned reflux expert. I have learned how to eat to ease my reflux, and have lost 13 pounds just by healthy eating ( a good thing and am at a good weight for me now.) The book is very readable, including what she teaches her patients, the science, lists of foods and their pHs, what to eat and not to eat, and 40 recipes. I found it on Amazon and was impressed with the many 5 star reviews. Please check it out. As she teaches one third of people will respond and not need their reflux medicine, the 2nd third will improve with medicine and diet, and the last third will need surgery. Since I have had a bad case causing my asthma and sinus problems I got the book (Barnes and Nobles) the first day I discovered it online. I must say my heartburn has dropped at least 75%, I do not wake up during the night burning anymore, and my lungs and sinuses are improving as well. I have been taking Protonix 2x day, and just got free samples of Dexilant until my Protonix refill is mailed. Please check out the book. It has been a an answer to prayer.

I find it interesting that the author of this blog has nothing to say to all the people who have been getting relief from this drug and not others (including Prevacid). Lucky for them, ludditeandroid is not in charge of the FDA, or they’d just have to use Prevacid which doesn’t work for them and put up with the pain. A more objective way to present this article would have been to point out that perhaps many people would benefit from Prevaid and not necessarily need Dexilant, but that it’s still there as a last resort for people who can only respond to it. But then, this is a blog, so I guess being objective is just a luxury we can let fall by the wayside, right?

It looks like Pharma knows how to pay social media consultants…I’ve never seen so many cries for objectivity on one blog post!

I’m super skeptical of Dexilant. My doctor said its the strongest and longest lasting on the market, and that he had a free sample and a coupon. Said tell me if it doesn’t work with your insurance. I told him good ole’ lansoprazole was working fine….hopefully i’ll just go on that. Drug companies are ruining America.

I’m a physician, and I personally have GERD refractory to Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium that would only respond to Dexilant which is certainly a better alternative than a Nissen fundoplication. So for you to so eloquently describe it as a “stupid drug that should not exist” is frankly insulting. Just because you have a blog does not make you God and on this point I can tell you from my personal experience you are the stupid one who should not exist.

Interesting reading experiences. I have been on it for five days now and the results for me are incredible. I feel as if I have do not have any reflux/digestive issues. This is after taking Nexium, Prilosac, and Prevacid without solving my problems. No side effects at all. Not quite ready to declare it my wonder drug but an amazing difference so far. Got samples so just realizing how expensive it will be — that said, preventing “painful episodes” is worth almost anything. Good luck to all.

I have suffered from acid reflux and other GI disorders for years. The reflux further intensified my asthma. Ever since I started to take Kapidex, then renamed to Dexilant, I have noticed a remarkable improvement in the reduction of reflux. The only problem is the price of this medicine, and I sincerely hope generic equivalents are available soon.

I see one pharmacist’s response but figured that another might be welcomed. I am the director of a long-term care pharmacy and would like to add another logical, evidenced-based response to this madness:

“Just a Pharm-D’s” answer above is a very good summary for anyone looking for credible information here. Using the active isomer of an already available medication is not an uncommon practice of pharmaceutical companies (and it’s genius if you exclude the fact that it is deceptive to patients who are paying for it). Dexilant does have a higher absorption and it does have a longer duration due to its two-phase release…but again, only 25% of the drug is released in the first phase.

In response to SUE: yes, there are potential negative effects from taking any PPI (proton pump inhibitor) for an extended period of time. In March 2011, the FDA released a notification regarding PPI use and associated low magnesium levels, stating that hypomagnesemia can lead to tremors, seizures, tetany, QT-prolongation, and cardiac arrhythmias. Current guidelines recommend PPI’s only be used for short-term use unless absolutely necessary to prevent GERD symptoms. If you have been on a PPI for 6+ months, you should attempt to gradually lower the dose or space doses apart (take one daily instead of twice a day, then every other day, or every three days) to see if symptoms return. Try using antacids such as Tums or Maalox for occasional symptom relief as well.

When in doubt, please contact your local pharmacist. Not to imply that physicians are not knowledgeable about the drugs that they prescribe, but a pharmacist is always your safest choice for unbiased information when you have a question about your medications. Keeping yourself informed is always important, but be cautious when gathering information from websites or blog posts such as this particular gentleman above.

And finally, to “John Bechtel”, the “I’m a physician, you are the stupid one who should not exist” guy…please grow up and act like a professional, you are giving a poor reflection of others in your profession.

I was born with a birth defect (mssing LES) and had surgery at 2 to attempt to at least make it possible for me to hold down food. I have been on different meds since I was 13 for acid reflux, GERD, whatever you want to call it. I have had to change meds so often its rediculous. I have been all dosage levels of aciphex, prevacid, nexium, omeprazole, pick one and I’ve taken it. Nexium did great for about 3 years, then it started decreasing as my issues got slightly worse. Went thru a few more meds before my medicare switched to humana for rx and they authorized a one-time fill of the dexilant my dr wanted. Took one that night and by the next afternoon I could eat anything I wanted then hang upside down right after without an issue! It worked fabulously, like no other had ever done before! No side effects, no nausea, no seizures, no tremors, nothing but pure relief! My insurance didnt want to keep paying for it, so my Dr. printed up a list of all the meds I had taken for it in the past and submitted it with a letter of medical necessity, and I no longer have any issues getting my rx… only pay $3.20 a month for it :)

My doctor gave me samples of Dexilant, so I’m not here to complain about the price–yet. Nor am I here to bash/praise the drug–yet. I’m trying to discern whether it has any harmful side effects, so if anyone knows anything, I’d love to hear. I have reflux and ulcers (now resolved, according to latest endoscopy), but I never had a symptom, until I started taking Nexium and then Dexilant. Now, I have ungodly abdominal and chest pain (same pain, but strangely, it moves) with no explanation. I’m not suggesting a cause and effect here–it could be a coincidence, but the pain has gotten worse since I started taking the Dexilant. The only things I’m taking are Dexilant, Carafate and Vyvanse (long-term use for chronic fatigue). I’ve been scoped, ultrasounded, scanned and x-rayed into oblivion. Nothing relieves the pain except tramadol, but since it has addictive properties similar to narcotics, I have discontinued it. (No lectures about this assertion, please–I have a rare genetic disorder, and in the past I’ve been habituated to narcotics I took for pain–I know what it feels like. No euphoria on tramadol, but the cravings are the same.) I’m going to do a trial off the three drugs I’m on, but I have a feeling that won’t reveal anything.

I do feel the need to respond to those who gleefully exclaim that they only pay $X for this drug (or anything else). I’m not bashing you, but perhaps you just don’t realize your good fortune–you have good health insurance. I have crappy health insurance (for which I pay $600 per month) and pay as much as $60 for a 30-day supply of newer drugs with no generic option. Of course, this is a privilege compared to the people with NO insurance, and I will join their ranks in… 11 months and counting when my COBRA runs out. The pharmaceutical industry has no shortage of ways to take older drugs and reconfigure them ever so slightly (or remarket them for another purpose) so they can charge a fortune. They market them to doctors (with those lovely samples like I got, as well as speaking opportunities, where docs can extol the virtues of said drug and get paid for it) and directly to the public. Until this nightmare of an industry is reined in, EVERYone pays–with increased copays and insurance premiums, etc. Unless you have an employer (or a spouse) with an especially generous benefits package. Lucky you. I used to be one of you. Then I lost my job due to illness. I won’t go into what else I’m about to lose, but suffice it to say–my situation is dire. It could happen to anyone. So why won’t the less progressive members of Congress work to ensure that all of us have decent health care?

MelissaBee, Let someone else worry about all the terrible drug companies. I believe if you google Dexilant or Kapidex and coupon you will get a nice surprise. My first script for it was dirt cheap. They even have something like a club where you get long term discounts. But, alas, the second you turn 65, you get the opportunity to pay through the nose.

I have never taken GERD meds before except for an occasional Alka-seltzer or Tums. I was dx with GERD about 8 years ago due to chest pain and belching. After I was dx it stopped and never had any problems until now. This week I have felt nausea all the time, and burping rotten eggs. I took one dose of Dexilant and no nausea. I did not know that it was an isomer of Prevacid, and I did not think of trying the OTC meds like Tagamet, and others. My use is to be short term and I guess I will see what happens I don’t think my GERD is acute so I could of probably get away with the OTC stuff. Time will tell.

I have IBS and acid reflux. Other than alcohol, no one food consistently causes problems, but stomach/bowel problems I do have. Prevacid did zip for me, if anything it made my heartburn worse. This, as a preventative, is working very well, I am not burping like a drunk, which I always did at night, or having searing tight heartburn pain.. As my doctor says about IBS–it is not the food, it is the patient. And every patient is different. What may be good for one person does zip for another. My insurance is awesome with precriptions so the price for me is fine.

I am very grateful to “all” the people who have taken the time to write in this blog. I, too, have taken so many different meds for GERD and the samples of Dexilant are the first to make any difference. I am getting a CAT scan (upper GI) next week, so hope it isn’t anything more serious than GERD. Now 65 and will have to pay at least $95.00 a month co pay for the Dexilant. It’s a shame that all our Congressmen, Congresswomen, and Senators don’t have to worry about how to pay for meds. but maybe their day will come. Meanwhile, I’m relieved that there is a med that can help me and others.

I had been taking Prevacid 30 mg twice a day for years. It recently stopped working. Having tried all the other medicines, my Dr. prescribed Dexilant. It works. As to the blog author being incredulous that OTC Prevacid does not work the same – my experience has been that it does not. Two 15 mg pills would do absolutely nothing to releve my reflux.

I have had samples of Dexilant and it does seem to help. I did however find that after I stopped taking it I have had chest pain which I never had. I took the Dexilant for serious heartburn. I have noticed more side effects from quitting than while being on. I can’t seem to eat now without keeping Gas -x or Imodium around.

I was about to call an orthopaedist because of one week of mild to very severe headaches right over both orbits. Coincidentally about one week ago, my gastroenterologist put me on one Dexilant daily. What complicates matters is that years ago I had a car accident which brought about damage to C5 and C6 (degenerative arthritis) which WAS causing headaches but not of this magnitude. I hadn’t had a headache for 15 years until now. Also I notice, during the night, shortness of breath. The only way I’ll know if it’s the Dexilant is by abstaining which I began this morning. Who knows but if anyone wants to get in touch with me, bring it on. I like helping my fellow man.

In the fall of 2009, I suddenly was having serious pulmonary problems. I also knew I had GERD. My pulmonary problems got worse and worse. I finally had a chest CT and was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. My doctor and I tried to figure out what could have quite suddenly brought this on. He referred me to a gastroenterologist to be tested for “silent reflux”. I had a VERY severe case and was aspirating the reflux, thus causing me constant bronchial infections – even pneumonia. Why did it suddenly happen? My prescription plan no long would pay for Protonix or it’s generic version and put me on Prilosec. I was taking the Protonix twice daily. After the diagnosis of silent reflux, my doctor put me on Dexilant ad virtually no prescription plan will pay for twice-daily of any of the other reflux meds. Since Dexilant as a time-release formula, it gives me the same as twice daily coverage. Within 3 weeks of being put on the Dexilant, my pulmonary function level went from 41% to 65%. For me, it has been a “wonder drug”. Thank goodness my prescription plan pays enough that it only costs me $60 for a 3-month supply.

I am a recoving anorexic (restricting type and excessive exercising) i caused alot of stomach problems from my mental and physical problems. I am recoving, the only way i was able to gain back half of the weight was by taking vicodin. It allowed me to be able to eat, it helped with the pain in my stomach. Not eating very much for over almost 2 years has left me with many stomach problems. My stomach produces too much acid, which has now caused GERD. i would rather not eat because of the pain, cramps, nausea, bloating, hearthburn, (heartburn feels like a heart attack) I have in my stomach. i have tried many over the counter meds, they dont work for me. Other precrips havent helped. As a last resort my doctor gave me a week or two sample, i took it and i could tell the difference with Dexilant. my doctor gave me a prescription of it and said you should be able to eat anything you want now. i still cant eat anything i want, but it is much better. i have been taking it for a little over 3 months. Now my insurance company wants an authorization. i went with out from tuesday til monday, by thursday i was in so much pain, i could not take it any more, i called the doctor and was given samples until it is approved. yes its expensive, but if i didnt have it to take, i dont think that i would still have my job. So i am happy that Dexilant is available. I think that if i had not taken Dexialnt i would not be in recovery for anorexia, my children would be with out there mother…………..
thanks for listening

I honestly believe that it depends on person to person in terms of reactions to the drugs we are given.

I have have a wild ride where my case mainly consists of an “atypical milk allergy” with a case of eosinophilic esophagitis (when I was young this used to be pretty bad, but now it is considered a mild case). My case follows along the lines of GERD treatments as well.
I was given samples of Aciphex which worked great but were expensive. I was then given prescriptions for Pantoprazole and Omeprazole — I only filled the Pantoprazole. This gave me terrible nausea and it made me itch. I tested to make sure it was the Pantoprazole by stopping for a week and starting again.
I have been given samples and a prescription to Dexilant and so far so good; I have not felt sick or itchy since taking it.

My wife has been taking dexilant for about 6 months. She got on that program that allowed her to get the refills at no cost. The card expired on Dec. 31st 2011. The new card has her paying $20 for 30 day supply. Not bad considering. I have been on Prevacid since 1990. It has been a little expensive until recently when it went generic. I now pay $10 for 90 days. However, about 5 years ago I started getting chest pains and later strong palpatations and skipped heartbeats. I’ve been convinced for a while that the prevacid is the possible culprit but I have tried numerous times to ease off the drug but have to get back on for relief from the burning. This is frustrating. I have Barretts and I asked my GI doc about the halo treatment but he said it is too new for this area and time frame for my condition. After reading “Another Pharm.D.” comments that included Long QTs etc, and simliar information, I feel this is part of the long term effect of these drugs. An interesting side note, since taking the PPI long term, I’ve developed lactose intolerence and recently started getting lots of gas and bloating. I was passing gas about 60-100 times an hour, no joke. I did find that if I eat a gluten free diet, I’m back to normal gas and almost no bloating. This lends to the idea that removing the acid from digestion can cause your body to not get the proper benefit from complete digestion of a good diet.

I have been on ppi’s for almost fifteen years, starting with zantac and other otc’s, then moved on to omeprazole for a long time. I started at 20 mg and eventually ended up taking 3 a day. If I missed a dose by even an hour the horrible gas, stomach pain, and acid burning would go on for 1-3 days. About a year ago I started dexilant, which cured all my symptoms. About 2 months ago I started having “episodes” at night of arrhythmia, bradycardia, tremor, chills; this happens only at night as I am nearly asleep. I cut out alcohol and caffeine, which seemed to be triggers, and have begun taking magnesium, b vitamin supplements, and switched to a new diet loaded with fruits and vegetables and low in gluten. After these attacks I have days of fatigue and mental fog. They have been less frequent and of shorter duration since new regimen, but now I am faced with trying to get off of dexilant (as I believe long term use of ppi’s is what is causing symptoms; im not on any other drugs and am very athletic and healthy otherwise). My doctor is prescribing 30 mg daily of prevacid. Im afraid that im going to go right back to the pain and discomfort from before. Does anyone know if it would be better for me to extend doses of dexilant over time (i.e. take it every 26 hours instead of 24, then 28 and so on, or switch every other day with the prevacid to get off this med? I don’t want to go through any detox symptoms (or as few as possible). Im also curious to know if any others who’ve been on dexilant for awhile are experiencing these heart symptoms; when it happens it feels like my heart slows, stops, then adrenaline rush and racing heart, in cycles for 2-12 hours.

Hypomagnesemia, Sorry to hear you are having the same problems that I have. I’m currently doing the 15/30 mg every other day plan with prevacid for just over a week. I tried this before but not while restricting gluten. Things seem to be doing well as far as the bloating and gas goes. I still haven’t found anything that lessens the heart problems. Since you started getting your heart symptoms while on dexilant, than I’m not too surprised since it is almost the same as the prevacid. I have done some research, and there is a couple procedures that could help getting off the PPIs. If you don’t have any sign of Barretts, than check out this website: [LINK REMOVED] . This company is doing trials where they go into to the stomach with a special endoscope and reform the stomach entrance to where it will allow little or no acid to wash up into your esophagus. But if you have signs of Barretts, than you should look into the Halo 90 or 360 procedure. Its a procedure that uses radiofrequency ablation to change the precancerous condition back to normal cells. Website: [LINK REMOVED] , check these sites out and let me know what you think. I’ve talk to my GI doc. about these. The Halo is not in our area yet and the Endogastric procedure is still in trials. I subscrbed to their site and get updates periodically. It seems to be going well. Let me ask you a question, how long did you take the omeprazole, and what side effects did you have? If i have to take a PPI, I just need something that will stop the heart problems.

I took the omeprazole for 13 years, started at 20 mg a day, ended up at 60 in the end. Ive gotten my dexilant down to once every 36 hours and having v few stomach problems. I think cutting out caffeine, alcohol, and restricting gluten help a LOT. I havent picked up the prevacid yet, and I almost want to go back to the omeprazole as I never had problems while on it. It did eventually quit working but I wasnt being very proactive or aware about my diet back then. Also, I read a study in which they gave ppi’s to healthy people with no acid reflux or stomach problems, and when the people went off the meds, 44 percent had acid reflux for a few weeks after stopping the meds. They make you dependent, apparently. I always thought so, but knowing the healthy people went back to having no symptoms after a few weeks gives me hope. Good luck!

Hypomagnesemia,I was just researching your hypomagnesemia. Have you had your serum magnesium levels checked? I was just talking to my GI doc. and he doesn’t think that the PPI is causing my problem but I sparked enough interest that he wants to check my levels. Reviewing my chart he is considering sending my to the closest facility doing the Halo 360 procedure. I talked to him about the gluten factor as well. He says if it helps than go for it. Have you been scoped and know the condition of your esophagus? If you have no errosion, than getting off the PPI would be fine. Hopefully a reduced dose and diet change would help get you there.

I had been taking Nexium 40mg for about 3 years. Suddenly I had severe heartburn and went to see a GI doctor. He told me that Nexium does not “just stop working” so he wanted to do some tests. I had blood work done, endoscopy and sonogram of the upper GI organs. Also a biopsy. Diagnose was a small hiatal hernia and gastritis. He prescriped Dexilant and insurance would not cover so he prescribed omeprazole. I took that for about 1 1/2 weeks and had terrible side effects: diarrhea, stomach pain, gas and bloating. Insurance came back and approved so after about 2 weeks on omeprazole, I switched to Dexilant. I have been on this RX for 1 week and 4 days and my side effects are no better. I take the one a day 60 mg and about 1 1/2 hours after I take it I have stomach pains, gas, bloating and very loose bowels for the rest of the day, easing in early evening. I am miserable and sometimes feel I have to stay close to the bathroom all day. I work full time so it is not a comfortable situation. I have read everything I can find on the internet about Dexilant and these side effects seem to be normal. I never had this problem with Nexium but my doctor does not want me to go back to Nexium. I keep hoping the side effects will lessen with time on the RX but after reading this blog I am less than hopeful. I may try changing my diet to gluten-free to see if this helps at all. I am really tired of feeling bad everyday. Thanks for all input on this subject.

Deborah, I once had similar side effects while taking prevacid. It turned out to be from an anti depressant. It happened with celexa and zoloft. Are you taking any other meds besides your Gerds med.? The gluten free diet can make a tremendous difference. I still eat gluten occasionally with little problem, its not like having full blown celiac disease, just an intolerence. Since I’ve changed my diet I have stepped down from 30 mg to 15 mg prevacid for almost 2 weeks. Before the change, I would be in agony after 2 days on the 15 mg. If you can get rid of the gas, bloating and pains but still have loose bowels, try metamucil or citucel. That works for me and takes care of a lot of you daily fiber needs. Good luck

I have a hernia, my esophagus has had strictures and had to be expanded twice in the past 16 months, during endoscopies. early on, I tried Prevacid, but it didn’t work. Then, I went to an Ayurvedic doctor and he didn’t help either. I went to an acupunturist who said I had to strengthen my esophagus. Hmmmm. Then I tried eating Umi paste before meals. No help. I would have eaten dog shit if it would have helped. I had acute pain in my chest and stomach and couldn’t eat anything but I didn’t want to take drugs I couldn’t get off of.In January of 2011 I read Dr. Young’s Miracle Diet. I have been a vegetarian for 40 years at least, and before the GERD, considered myself to be one of the healthiest people I know. ( I teach yoga and sing). Following Dr. Young’s strictest diet, I went on a green fast for 10 days, including drinking clay and baking soda in water, alkalizing with drops in water. I felt and looked great. I continued on a very strict diet for about another 6 weeks eating only about 8 things, drinking Aloe Vera, Clay…does that sound tasty? I added more items to my diet, although I realized that raw was not helping out my gut. I was doing OK until I had to sing last summer and I realized my voice has been compromised for years from the reflux. So, I went on Nexium, and got pneumonia, which I read happened to a couple of other people too- BEWARE. Then, I tried to taper down the Nexium but my voice got hoarse after 3 months, so I stayed on 60 mgs once a day. It didn’t seem to help that much. Finally, I went to a great ENT who scoped me and said my chords had damage and it was time to go on Dexilant. It’s odd that the Gastro doctors weren’t interested in helping me out as much at the ENT.I have been on it a month and I feel like I can eat riskier meals and am getting my voice back. I read somewhere it helped someone with chronic back pain! I am hoping I don’t have to be a Dexilant Lifer, and that somehow I can control the GERD with a vegan diet only at some point, and maybe meditation. By the way, Dropping Acid and Miracle Diet have conflicting opinions on what is acidic. From reading all these comments, it’s clear that :
1. the meds are really expensive at least for now
2. it’s impossible to get off most of the meds easily
3. different meds result in benefits and side effects for different people
4. there doesn’t seem to be a cure
5. GERD sufferers are starving for information about everything associated with the disease, and these forums are our only hope to get educated, so please keep sharing stories and ideas!

Have any of you ever wonder why you have heartburn or acid reflux in the first place. you don’t need all the dangerous drugs. your body wasn’t meant to take them in the first place. all you need to do is….watch what you eat or drink, how much you eat or drink and when (what time ) you eat or drink. simple. I know, I don’t take any of those shit drugs and I don’t have acid reflux anymore. drugs are nothing but money making screme for drugs makers and doctors. yes I said doctors. they get thier cut of the money too.

I can’t believe I’m just finding this entry now. I’ve shelled out $60 a month for the past six months because of my GERD. It seems the reason I’m on Dexilant, though, is because I used Prevacid, Prilosec (OTC and gen. Rx), Nexium and Carafate, none of which could really give me relief. Dexilant really does help but I just don’t know if I can go through another round of it. it is just so expensive. I just think this blog entry is great because a lot of people don’t know that there is not a huge difference between Prevacid and Dexilant, although one doctor once described them as sister drugs, “They might look the same, but only one of them can do it for you.”

I’m 21 years old and have several GI problems. Diarrhea, sharp stomach pains, GERD, bloating and gas, frequent belching and hiccups, I get full very fast and feel like the food goes nowhere for hours, and have constant nausea. I was diagnosed with colonic inertia after being tested because of severe constipation about 3 years ago. I now take 2,000 mg of MagOx and between 100 and 200 mg of colace a day to relieve the constipation. I’m trying to decrease because of the constant pains, nausea and diarrhea but I can’t seem to find the norm. Besides that, I take 80mg of Nexium (40mg BID) for the terrible reflux. It helps with the burning sensation but that’s it. I still experience food and liquid coming back up with constant belching and bloating, even after just a sip of water. Everyone is like, what’s wrong with you?? And if I accidentally skip a dose, I know within 3 hours because of the burning. I do not drink coffee- or any caffeine, I’ve stopped taking aspirin and Advil, have significantly reduced my stress and anxiety and rarely consume alcohol. I do however take Vyvanse 50mg, a stimulant. I don’t know if this is affecting me. After going to another GI doctor, he recommended I get another endoscopy. I’m grateful- but in a way upset- with the results that everything was normal besides having a small hiatal hernia because I just want answers. I’m tired of feeling this way. But anyway, he just suggested to discontinue the 2 doses of Nexium and replace it with Dexilant once a day. I’m nervous about the once a day thing but Ill give anything a shot at this point. I don’t know where to turn next, a holistic doctor, allergy testing…?? Can anyone help?

Sorry to here you’re having so much pain and agony Julie. I have alot of GI problems, especially the burning, gas, bloating and belching. I also became lactose intolerant after I started taking prevacid for the GERDs. I’ve had many endoscopes and colonoscopys as well. I’ve got a hiatal hernia, spastic colon/IBS and Barretts esophagus. I was tested for Celiac disease but it showed nothing. I decided one day to cut out gluten, and to my surprise I found relief. So much so that I’ve been able to cut back to 15mg of prevacid vice the 30mg that I had been on for 18 years. Try cutting gluten for a month and if you suspect problems with lactose, there are these small pills you can take with any milk products that help your system digest the lactose. Lactose problems can range from stomach cramps to diarhea or rarely constipation. Maybe other systoms too. Everybody is different, you just got to keep searching. Good Luck and let me know how its going.

I agree that glucose intolerance is not taken into consideration enough for digestinve issues especially after reading the May/June issue of Well Being Journal. And glucose is in everything, even creams and makeup. Dexilant has been helpful but my chiropractor says that drugs should only be a bridge to wellness, and I agree. By the way, there are coupons for Dexilant which make it muck cheaper! Ask your doctor or go online
Only sharing the following to see if anyone has any suggestions, comments or ideas:
My latest diet experiments have included- Aloe GEL before meals ( 2 oz.)
daikon radish ( 1 oz.) with hot water ( recommended by a Japanese healer)
fennel tea, all day long,
plus at least one green drink daily. I have a good powered variety too.
My goal is not to have any stomach pain or issues for 3 days in a row. If I can figure out how to get to three, I can get to 4 and so on. Then when I see marked improvement, I will try to wean myself of the Dexilant. Drugs make the body more acidic, which in turn necessitates the drugs. It’s a vicious cycle.
I am so frustrated about not being ablt to eat anything. I have always eaten fresh, healthy food and can’t understand how I got myself into this pickle.

Dave in VA,
This is hypomagnesemia?, and I wanted to update. I was able to get off the dexilant by extending my doses out a couple hours at a time, i.e. 24 hours on e day, 26 hours for a couple days, 30, etc. It was difficult to remember what time to take the meds and I had some heartburn while going through this process, but I was able to get completely off the dexilant within a few months. I also cut out all caffeine, alcohol, and most gluten, which must have been what set off the GERD problems to begin with. I am now able to get by with a few Tums every now and then. My heart symptoms have gradually gotten better, but I do not know if they were caused by the Dexilant or perhaps something else. I have recurring symptoms whenever I lose weight which leads me to believe I have been exposed to something and it is working its way out of my system. Wanted to give hope to people as I had never met a long term user of ppi’s who successfully stopped taking them, I thought I’d live the rest of my life on these meds! Good luck to all on this thread,

Hypomagesemia, I’m glad to hear that you have made such pogress. I was just about off the prevacid, taking 15 mg everyother day than went through a high stress period. I asked my MD for a script for the 15s, but the Insurance denied it since they are OTC. So at the moment I’m spliting the 30s and will start spacing them out again. I had started getting some reflux. Since cutting out most of the gluten my digestive trac is doing 100% better. My heart still skips now and then but its better when I don’t eat too much black pepper and no caffiene. Man do I miss coffee though. Take care.

Thanks Dave and everyone else. I’ve been told by some that all of these types of problems are a direct result of emotional distress and shoving feelings down. When I’m feeling much less stress I still seem to have these symptoms. Any thoughts? Cutting out gluten seems like a recurring solution for many. Maybe I should give it a try…

cOnversationswithgod, the thing about those feelings is, even if you don’t think you’re stressed and feeling good, there are things that could still be bothering you. Its like that with mild depression. Some things you can’t control and some you can. Try cutting out the gluten, you can control that. Cut it out for atleast six weeks and see how things go. I noticed a difference within a day or two and it got better by the end of a month. After awhile I experimented by adding some gluten occasionally. If I have gluten it usually will be one meal in a day. I know if I start to feel bloated after I eat, then I’ve had too much. I was surprised to see how much it was responible for trouble within my whole digestive tract effecting the esophagus to hemrhoids. Let me know how it goes.

In November 2011 I began to noticed my voice was beginning to go. 2 weeks later…it was gone. Could open my mouth but nothing came out…unless I strained. Went to doc who gave me antibiotic…nothing…then went to ENT…now 3 mo later…still no voice..gave me steroids…nothing. Then the doc said I could have GERD and not feel it. So he gave me omeprazole, which did nothing…then….he gave me Dexilant. Thank Goodness!!! Within a week my voice came back. But have noticed some side effects as written above…like feeling full fast…I call that like a bloated feeling…loose stool….here is a question….how about the color of the stool? I noticed it became light…like yellow…just me or anyone else see that? But hey…I can talk.

No answer from me, Kristine. Hopefully someone else will have an answer for you.

I noticed that Omeprazole over the counter is a 24 hour slow release med. But it only comes in 20 mg. A prescription for something stronger costs me a lot more than the $40 a month otc.

What I need to know is, can you take TWO otc 15 mgs that are both 24 hour slow release at the same time? Or perhaps one in the morning and one at night – though they are both 24 hour, not 12 hour slow release?

Julie, your symptoms sound just like my daughters. She was diagnosed with Gastroparesis, a delayed emptying of the stomach. She takes a drug called Domeridone which we have to get overseas, but it’s not that expensive.
Maybe ask the doctor to test you for it. It’s an easy test, you eat some eggs and after a certain period of time they watch how the eggs progres through the system.
Good luck

“loose stool….here is a question….how about the color of the stool? I noticed it became light…like yellow…just me or anyone else see that?”

I’m not a doctor, but this sounds like what happens to me after antibiotics, which I noticed you mentioned had been prescribed a few times. Many of them will decimate the bacterial population in your GI tract, which your body needs to help break down the food so you can absorb it. Try probiotics, either in pill form, or in food like yogurt, sour cream, sauerkraut, etc. Kombucha has helped me, too. You will likely need to take them multiple times daily for a few weeks until the bacteria get re-established in your body. I just started taking Dexilant (as samples) recently and I haven’t noticed any negative changes in my stool so far.

After spending 2 years in and out of doctors offices, I finally found something that worked. That was Dexilant. People think that it is an overpriced drug that is comparable to the kind of anti-acids that one can get at walgreens. I have tried every brand out there that they sell at CVS or Walgreens. Dexilant has been the only thing to ever work and work so well that I don’t ever feel any pain. Many people say that it is too expensive. One- it is totally worth it and 2 I just got the instant savings card and it saved me! It doesn’t cost anymore than 20 dollars a month. Huge savings!

Caution: Abbie’s reply praising Dexilant and saying the price is worth it sounds very much like a company advertisement. If I’m wrong, my apologies, Abbie, but we should all be aware that company representatives do go around the net praising drugs and excusing their costs on message boards. I have seen too many of them to be able to ignore this. The number one red flag on Abbie’s post is this savings card she mentions but does not name. If the savings card is reputable, why not name it? Btw, note that she’s saying this “savings card” saves her $140 every time she buys Dexilant. If you’re like me, you hear bells and whistles when something says something like that. So, just beware of Abbie’s claims. I invite Abbie to provide the name of the Savings Card.

I’ve took Dexilant since last December. The first week I had horrible intestinal issues: upset stomach, diarrhea, gas…. Stopped taking it for a couple weeks because I was afraid of it. Started it again when my reflux got so bad. I haven’t had any problems with it since. Without insurance, I was so happy to get the Dexilant Savings Card (Look up Dexilant on line. There’s a card for insured and uninsured) which allowed me to purchase the drug for $20, until yesterday…. Got a new Dexilant savings card and now have to pay $88, which I can’t afford without insurance, on a fixed income, with other meds I need to take. Sounds like, from all I’ve read from you all, that it’s time for me to back off the stuff anyway. It sure does work, though!
Kate

THIS PILL WAS THE BEST THING FOR ME AND HELPED BETTER THAN ANY I HAVE BEEN ON….DUE TO THE FACT I HAVE NO INSURANCE AND THE DISCOUNT CARD CHANGED WHAT THEY COVER…..I CANT AFFORD IT!!!! SAD THAT I SPENT MONEY FOR YR SO THE CARD COVERS INSURED PEOPLE MORE THAN PEOPLE LIKE ME??!!! DONT HAVE KIDS YET SO NO GOVERMENT HELP!!!! WISH I COULD GET HELP FROM THIS COMPANY???

I EVEN STARTED THIS DRUG WHEN IT WAS KAPIDEX….BEFORE DEXILANT….AGREE IT SAVED ME AND WAS DOING GREAT!! NOW SAME THING HAPPENED WITH DISCOUNT CARD AND I TRIED OTHER STUFF PAST WEEKS AND NO RELIEF JUST SICK AND LOST WEIGHT . ALL BECAUSE IM NOT RICH OR ANY INSURANCE!!?? MONEY HUNGRY!!!IM UP NOW WITH STOMACH ACID THat IS FROM THE PRICE OF THE MED.!!! IF IT WASNT THE BEST TO ME I WOULDNT BE SO UPSET WITH THIS!!!!! WHAT I GOT WRONG THIS PILL HELPS….I CRIED AT THE PHARMACY…..IM ONLY 31 WITH ALOT OF HEALTH PROBLEMS AND THIS IS THE LAST THING I NEEDED IN MY LIFE!?? SO MANY TRIPS TO ER AND THEN SHOWED UP H-Pylori (sp)AND THINK ITS GONE FROM WHAT DR. SAYS???

Rachel, you said you tried everything, what was your reaction while on prevacid. Dexilant and prevacid are similar although the OTC potency is only 15 mg. What dosage of dex were you taking and how much do they want you to pay? I was stable on 30mg of prevacid and cut back on gluten, then I was able to reduce my prevacid to 15mg.

As long as there are enough people who WILL pay the $150 a month, this drug will never be available for those who can’t pay that much, which is most people. Why try to get a million customers who can pay $40 a month, when you can just get 1,000 who’re able to pay $150?

To me, they’re totally unreasonable on this cost. If you could see these big pharma profits and the salaries of their upper management, you would know that no drugs should cost what they do in America.

I priced Prevacid which is only 15 mgs and then priced Dexilant which is 60 mgs (of basically the same med). When you take enough of the Prevacid 15 mg pills to equal 60 mgs, you pay the same for Prevacid as you do for Dexilant.

They cost the same. The reason Prevacid is not working for some people is that it is such a mild dose if all you take is one capsule. You must take 4 (15 mg capsules) to equal one Dexilant at 60 mgs.

Why bother with Prevacid and taking four capsules a day when you can just take one for the same price of Dexilant.

Dexilant, if you are insured and you are on Medicare, will not give you a Savings Card. You have to pay the full price if you’re on Medicare and many people are. That includes me.

My prior prescription insurance did not cover Dexilant and it would have cost me $150. My new prescription insurance does cover it, but I have to pay $85 co-pay per month.

Why is this particular drug, whether it’s Prevacid or Dexilant, cost so much and is covered so little on prescription insurance. I have taken drugs that cost more than Dexilant but my prescription insurance pays a LOT more for them. My co-pay is small. Advair is one like that. It costs more than Dexilant but my co-pay is only $45 a month.

As you can see, just these two meds alone cost me $130 a month.

And people think we don’t need health system reform… Boggles the mind.

I think we’ve had the generic Prevacid (Lansoprazole) since 2010 or so. I can’t remember the exact cash price off the top of my head, but it’s much, much lower than Dexilant, even if you take a double dose to get the same quantity of the active isomer.

I wonder if I have silent reflux. I’ve been to two general practice Dr’s, one that said I might have reflux, and one ENT who said I don’t have acid reflux. However, I’ve had problems catching a full breath, and do burp often. I don’t get heartburn too often though. Also, since having this problem (since December 2011) I’ve also had an arrhythmia, that only happens every once in a while, maybe once a month or two. I’m not sure if that happens just from over-trying to catch a deep breath, or what it’s from. I’ve tried both Prilosec, and Prevacid, with no luck. I’ve quit drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and all caffeine, and that seems to have helped a little. Also, this came on suddenly right after having an ear infection, and being on antibiotics.(Not sure if there’s a connection)
Sounds like dexilant might help, but just wondering if anybody else has had these symptoms….I’m at a complete loss on what to do.
Thank you.

I am 42 years old and have been on several heartburn meds. The doctor gave me some sample packs of Dexilant. After 2 days I was having migranes and was getting angry very easily. I rarely have headaches and these were really bad they went all the way down into my shoulders. I got on line and looked up the side effects, although rare migranes and mood swings are side effects of Dexilant. I talked to my doctor and stopped taking it. I tried it again a few days ago and the same thing happened after 2 days. It did get rid of the heartburn but it’s just not worth it. When they do these studies on these meds, say they test 100 people if 1 person has a headache or anything they have to say there is a 1% chance that you could have a headache. Just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean the meds didn’t cause the problem.

I’m now on Dexilant. I had a free sample from the doctor about six months ago and it worked with no side effects.

I understand it can make a-fib worse, and my a-fib is a little worse… so I just had a 2 week heart monitor. No results yet. However, there is that question for me… is it the Dexilant?

I sincerely hope it is not the Dexilant because nothing else otc has worked for me. I was losing my voice completely. I have Barrett’s Esophagus and it causes me to lose my voice when the acid gets worse. The acid reflux is what caused the Barrett’s Esophagus (damage that cannot be reversed).

I may have to choose between having a voice and an increased chance of cancer of the esophagus OR increased a-fib. We certainly need more research on this medicine. It’s wonderful that we at least have this, but it would be good to have one without a lot of side effects.

Patsy, have you heard about the procedure called HALO 360. It looks like it may be a repair for Barretts. I’ve talked to my GI doc. about it and he is waiting for it to come this area. I might be a candidate for the procedure. I to suffer with some heart rythym problems and take the generic prevacid which does control my GERDs. I’ve found that cutting back on the gluten has made a tremendous effect on the acid problem, so much so that I’ve been able to reduce my dose from 30 mg to 15 mg. That has seemed to reduce the strength of the heart fluxuations.

Patsy, I first went totally gluten free for about 6 weeks. Than I gradually added gluten a little at a time and now I am able to tolerate some gluten. Lets face it, some of those gluten free breads are hard to get used to. The cereals are pretty good.

I was taking a very high dose of Prilosec, and even adding an omeprazole at night, and it was not helping my discomfort with my hiatal hernia at all. Dexilant has been the only thing that has worked.

What I hate about it is how the company has gotten away with the slight formulary change to keep the patent active, ensuring the high price for another, I think 12 years. This is one of the reasons I cannot purchase health insurance. (Waiting for Obamacare to take effect, and hoping Romney doesn’t kill it.)

By the way, I have been tested for two types of gluten intolerance by my gastroenterologist, including a biopsy, and I do not have that problem. However, a diet too heavy on the white carbs do tend to bring on migraines for me.

Yes, I have. Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium, Pepcid (famotidine, which is what I meant to say I was taking at night with the Prilosec). I cannot take anything with any metal salts in them due to interactions with other drugs I have to take. I have esophageal spasms, and I think there must be something in the Dexilant which addresses that which the other medications do not. Probably something which would be an off label use if they knew about it.
As any mother who has given her baby liquid baby vitamins knows they may have the same formula, or contain the same active ingredient, but they are not exactly the same. One brand will go down the little sweethearts gullet and stay down just fine, and another brand will be projectile vomited thirty seconds after you plop it in. You would swear they taste exactly the same, but the kid can tell that something is different, and their little body doesn’t like it.
Well, my little body only likes Dexilant, and I am glad my doctor found something it did, because I thought we were running out of options, and I was facing a surgery that had the possibility of damaging my singing voice for a long time.
And, in case one of you bright pennies suggests that maybe one of those other drugs I am on caused the hiatal hernia in the first place, Guess what. You have a very good possibility of being right, but I don’t have a choice. They are anti-seizure drugs, and diet isn’t going to stop the seizures. It is from encephalitis from red measles when I was seven, before they had vaccines. The same vaccines that do not cause autism, because if they did, why is my husband autistic? He never got the vaccine? And why did I know there was something wrong with my son from birth?
But that is another rant for another day.

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I have one comment. Since Dexlansoprazole is the isomer of lansoprazole, it cannot be compared to lansoprazole unless you compare it on an eqimolar basis. This means that unless you have taken 120 mg of lansoprazole twice a day with no response, you cannot say that dexlansoprazole 60 mg twice a day is better than lansoprazole. So, instead of paying all this extra money or causing your insurance company to pay extra (AND CAUSING THE REST OF US MORE MONEY) for this deceptive product, double your dose and ask your doctor to prescribe that much generic lansoprazole and you will essentially have the same effect.
Example: you take 30 mg twice daily of the expensive stuff = your doctor gives you 60 mg twice daily of the generic product.

Food for thought. if you take what is basically an overdose of any chemical it is likely to cause you undefined adverse effects. Think about that before you just “DO WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS”

AnotherPharMd, I can’t say I follow everything you’ve said here, but I accept you know more than I do about it. I sense you’re saying that we should not take the 60 mg Dexilant because a double or triple dose of the otc drugs do the same thing? Not sure if that’s what you said.

I will say this: I tried the ordinary dose of Prevacid. Then I tried doubling it. Then I tried tripling it. Didn’t work. I’ve been on Dexilant now for some months and it’s working.

I have no idea why.

But I certainly don’t feel I’m costing you anything because I pay for my prescription insurance. I have the insurance so I can have meds that fix my problems. If we are to forego taking meds so we don’t cost you anything… I’m at a loss for words.

Just be assured I will decide for myself what I will or won’t do regarding my health and the use of MY prescription insurance. And I expect you to do the same.

Over the years, as a kid and as an adult.. I have tried several different medications for my stomach issues, along with my esophagus issues.. and nothing prescription nor over the counter worked.. One of my doctors put me on Dexilant and honestly.. it’s the only reason I can eat at all… Without it, straight bread and water will keep me up all night in tears with severe stomach pain and acid reflux.. but on the Dexilant, nothing I eat bothers my stomach at all. This is a very good medication if your issues fall into what the medication is for.

Just went to the pharmacy to get med refills, including dexilant. The pharmacist (after verification from takeda) told me that takeda has changed
It’s discount policy effective jan 1, the $20/month has been changed to $96/month. I declined the refill due to price.

Lansoprazole, the generic for Prevacid, has been around quite a while now, meaning the price has dropped quite a bit. Dexilant is the active isomer of Lansoprazole but costs much, much more because it was patented to get around the patent expiration on Prevacid. My legitimate suggestion would be to call your doctor’s office and leave a message that you can no longer comply with the Dexilant prescription due to cost increases, and would like to know if they can fax a prescription for generic Prevacid to your pharmacy, since Dexilant is just the active isomer of Prevacid anyway.

I’m still confused with what people here are saying about prescription generic Prevacid. I take 60 mg Dexilant. I had tried the otc stuff and it didn’t work, and none of it was 60 mgs.

So I searched online for prescription strength generic Prevacid, looking for 60 mgs and it does not appear to be available. It’s only 15 and 30 mg. If that did not work when it was otc, it’s not going to work as a prescription either.

Can someone tell me why they think the fact that it is now a prescription generic that it will suddenly work when it did not before? Why don’t they make it in 60 mgs?

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 12:12 AM, I have a blog? wrote:

> ** > ludditeandroid commented: “Lansoprazole, the generic for Prevacid, has > been around quite a while now, meaning the price has dropped quite a bit. > Dexilant is the active isomer of Lansoprazole but costs much, much more > because it was patented to get around the patent expiration on Pr” >

Thanks, but the question is, why would you take 30 mgs that don’t work if you can get Dexilant at 60 mgs that does work?

And the second question is, why doesn’t generic Prevacid come in 60 mgs?

If you have to buy double the amount of generic Prevacid so you can get the 60 mgs you need, then won’t you be paying the same. My Dexilant cost is $95 a month now. The insurance pays the rest. As I recall, otc Prevacid was about that same cost if you took twice the dose.

And realize that if you get a prescription from your doctor for Prevacid it is only going to be as much as 30 mgs. That’s worthless if it doesn’t work at such a low dosage.

Can someone tell me why they think the fact that it is now a prescription generic that it will suddenly work when it did not before?

Patsy, I don’t think anybody is saying Prevacid would work now if it didn’t before. My point was that Dexilant is the active isomer of Prevacid, meaning 60 mg of Dexilant is similar to 120 mg of Prevacid. But Dexilant is much more expensive, so people should try the cheaper one first.

If Prevacid doesn’t work for you, there’s a very high probability Dexilant won’t either, since it’s the same molecule as one of the two molecules (mirror images of each other) in the Prevacid.

Why don’t they make it in 60 mgs?

Prevacid is in 15 and 30 mg strengths because that’s what the company originally sought approval for. Getting another strength approved by the FDA would require $100,000 or more in additional paperwork.

You say, “If Prevacid doesn’t work for you, there’s a very high probability Dexilant won’t either, ”

So many people here keep saying that Dexilant DOES work where Prevacid did not. That means that 60 mgs of Dexilant is better than 30 mgs of Prevacid. See what I mean?

Sure, people should try a lower dose first if it costs less, and it may work. But if it does not work, then don’t give up. A higher dose might help you as it has others, and you can only get that higher dose in Dexilant.

why would you take 30 mgs that don’t work if you can get Dexilant at 60 mgs that does work?

I don’t know why you would, because I don’t see anyone saying to do that.

My Dexilant cost is $95 a month now.

The full cash price on 120 prescription Lansoprazole 30 mg pills (to get the 120 mg dose similar to 60 mg Dexilant) might be less than $95. It depends on the pharmacy, and that’s assuming the insurance isn’t covering it at all.

And realize that if you get a prescription from your doctor for Prevacid it is only going to be as much as 30 mgs.

No. I realize that doctors can write prescriptions for two pills a day, four pills a day, or whatever other amount they consider therapeutic. Some insurances might limit the number of pills they’ll pay for, but the doctor can write for any amount that is safe.

And the second question is, why doesn’t generic Prevacid come in 60 mgs?

I just answered this five minutes ago. Getting a new strength approved by the FDA costs $100,000+. No one wants to pay that when doctors can (and often do) write prescriptions for two of the 30 mg pills instead.

Obviously. 30 mg of Prevacid isn’t the therapeutic dose for someone who needs 60 mg of Dexilant. NO ONE is claiming that it is.

you can only get that higher dose in Dexilant.

I’m only going to say this one more time. A doctor can write for more than one pill of Prevacid per day. A huge number of our generic Prevacid patients are taking more than one of the 30 mg pills each day.

I have tried nearly every medicine there is for acid reflux, and Prevacid did absolutely nothing for me, while Dexilant works the first day I take it. I recently switched from taking Nexium twice daily. I’ve suffered from GERD since I was born. And you must also take into consideration the fact that while one medicine works for one person, it may not work for another. While I’m not saying your information is wrong, I am saying that although you claim they are the same basic thing there is definitely SOMETHING different about the two! Look at the comments! Many people say Prevacid did nothing and Dexilant did! So before people read this and jump to the conclusion “Pffft! I’ll just go buy Prevacid!” Try the two, see if they differ for YOU. Don’t always believe everything people say.

although you claim they are the same basic thing there is definitely SOMETHING different about the two

I’m not “claiming” something. I’m stating a fact of chemistry. Prevacid is a 50/50 mix of the R-isomer and L-isomer of one molecule. Dexilant is comprised of just the R-isomer (the active isomer) of that molecule. It’s the same molecule. Taking 60 mg of Dexilant is like taking 120 mg of Prevacid.

Many people say Prevacid did nothing and Dexilant did

Taking a higher dose of the same chemical sometimes does work better. Doesn’t mean the lower dose is a different molecule.

Patsy, I’ve written into this blog earlier in 2012, my experience with prevacid has shown me that long term use can take its toll on your body. Concerning the price, I was taking prevacid (30mg) for more than 10 years. Before it went generic, I was paying $50 for 90 days. After it went generic I pay $10 for 90 days. My GI doctor told me if I needed to a higher does that he had no problem writing that perscription. However, like I said long term use can create other health problems. Since the drug limits the acid production, in theory you digestive abilities decrease and over time your nutrition can suffer. I found out through trial and error that I was gluten sensitive. I did not show any evidence of ciliac disease in tests but limiting my glutin intake relieved my bloating, got rid of my hemmroids and most of the acid burn. I was able to decrease my dosage from 30 mgs to 15 mgs. Now I have decreased to 7.5 mgs. Just a note, you can get empty gel caps from places like the Vitamin Shoppe and open the capsules to set the dosage you want. Presently Insurance Co.s won’t allow perscriptions to be written for the OTC strength of prevacid. My wife takes dexilant. The Dr. put her on the 60 mg dose right from the start. She been taking it for about a year and a half. When she first bought it, the discount program covered the full copay so it was free. Her last refill was $70 for 90 days. She refuses to try prevacid. I’m concerned that shes giong to start running into the same health problems I have and at that higher dose, she’ll have a harder time getting off the drug.

Hi, Dave. Thanks for the more detailed explanation. I appreciate that. I’ve had this problem for 40 year, at least, and just treating it with otc, which of course, never really worked, so I ended up with Barrett’s Esophagus. I was at the point where talking was simply out. I couldn’t even answer the phone. Dexilant works. Nothing else did. So it is of no use to me to worry over the brand, anymore. But if it’s the fact that Dexilant has 60 mgs to Prevacid’s 30 mgs, then there’s no choice. I’m concerned about taking double the dose of a drug designed to take one a day, too. Even if the doctor says it’s fine. BUT I might try that IF the cost were sufficiently lower. It’s not.

One way or the other, if you’re going to take 60 mgs, you’re going to pay the price for it.

I think the Dexilant people are price gouging us. I hate giving them my business. I’d switch to Prevacid just on that basis alone if I knew taking a double dose of something designed to work one-a-day would not be damaging.

I’m not allergic to gluten. Thanks for that suggestion, though. I wish your wife well, and you, too.

I was on Dexilant 60 mg for 6 months and did great for awhile. Not long after I started the Dexilant, I started hearing my heartbeat in my ears at night when I laid on my side. Drs told me it could be a side effect but that it was nothing to worry about, so I got used to it. Recently, I started having some very strange health problems, including a tachycardia episode that sent me to the ER. Then I started getting these strange muscle twitches in my chest, upper back, neck and head. It would be worse at night, especially when I was trying to sleep. I would get easily exhausted and short of breath. I was practically in tears because drs had run all kinds of lab and tests and couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I stopped taking Dexilant for a couple of weeks and the twitches were practically gone, but the reflux started again, pretty badly. So I resorted to the Dexilant again, and the tremors/twitches came back instantly. I’ve been off of it again for a few days but the twitches are still there – I’m hoping they’ll leave soon. I’m searching out natural ways to elimate the reflux so I don’t have to go on prescription meds. I picked up a book called “Digestive Wellness” that had rave reviews and am excited to read that. One thing I have already discovered that helps me – Calcium Magnesium Citrate with Vitamin D. It’s a liquid supplement that you take 2 tbs per day – it’s specifically for your musculoskeletal system, but it somehow helps with reflux also, plus if you have any constipation issues, it helps with that too. If I eat something that might make the reflux flare up, I drink this stuff, and it works instantly. However it’s a supplement so I can only take it once a day, so I’m hoping to find some other remedies that can treat acute reflux symptoms throughout the day. I’ve got to stay off the dexilant, unfortunately. A friend of mine said it also caused her mother tremors and all sorts of other problems, which went away when she ceased taking it.

I was on every other PPI for years and nothing ever worked. Dexilant has worked better than anything else. Actually, I pay less for Dexilant with the card they gave me at the doctor than what I was paying for the generic!

OMG Amy, I can’t believe it, those symptoms, the heartbeat in your ears, heart skipping and those other health problems descibe what I have going on. Although I have never taken Dexillant, I have taken Prevacid since the early 90s. I really didn’t have many problems for the first 10 -15 years, but sometime around 2005 to 2007, I got your symptoms. I have been to the hospital a few times and they call the heart problems Cardiac Syndrome X. I’am trying a drug called Colcrys that is supposed to act like an anti Inflamatory thereby relieving some of symptoms but the drug is causing some muscle problems. I still think the reason behind it comes from lack of nutrition from decreasing the stomach acid. It happened to you quicker since Dexillant is twice the strenght of Prevacid. This really confirms that belief. It could be that our bodies are more suseptable than others to this problem. Keep me posted on the Calicum suppliment idea you have. As I mentioned previously in this thread, I have broken open the capsules and decreased my dose and are doing well on about 10 mgs/day. You have to get off them gradually, to just stop all at once won’t work because your body has put out extra acid to compensate for the drug action. When you stop all at once, you have more acid than you used to have before starting the dexillant. This is only MY theory but it might be right.

I had an interesting run-in with the local pharmicist today. I have been on Dexilant for two years and although it has worked well, it causes problems iwth my digestion. And the cost is prohibitive now that I am retiring. So I told my doc that I wanted to try the generic Prevacid at 90mg/day to see if I could wean myself down to about 60 or less over time. When I got to the pharmacy I saw taht my doc’s partner called it in and only orderd 30mg once/day. I told the pharmacist this is not what I asked for. I explained to her what I was doing and she said you can’t take more than 2 a day. I said, if the doc write s prescription for 3 or 4 a day I can. “But your insurance will only cover 2 a day”. So what, it doesn’t cover Dexilant at all. Besides the active isomer in Prevacid is the same as the isomer in Dexilant. “Are you a chemist or a phiysician?” she asks? “No” I answered. “Then you don’t know what you are talking about” she said. I decided not to argue with her and told her to keep the pills and that I’ll be back when my doc can call in the correct dosage. I don’t need to tell you how insulting it is to have a young pharmacist talk down to a customer like that.

I discovered about 8 months ago when our insurance carrier wouldn’t cover my prevacid manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s. It was 30 mg. I took it twice a day for a hiatal hernia and have barrett’s esophagus too. Our insurance refused to pay the $190.00 script for generic prevacid? We previously had bluecrossblueshield and I got the medication 60 pills a month for $15.00. I went to my gastro Dr, and told him the over the counter medicine prevacid wasn’t working and I had to take 4 pills a day. Our insurer United health care won’t pay for any meds that are sold over the counter. Well the Takeda rep was there at the Dr’s and I explained my problem. It made perfect sense to her. I was informed Takeda sold the name to Norvsik pharmasutcals to sell this 15 mg. over the counter medicine distributed all over the world, but that Takeda also sold the original Prevacid prescription to Dr. Reddy’s and that’s why it works and is so expensive compared to the over the counter junk called prevacid. Also If you have to take a Prevpac the prevacid in the prevpac is the DR. Reddy’s. It’s a flip flop now with insurance companies and pharmasutical companies that the good meds are actually some expensive generics. Insurance companies won’t cover due to their otc policy. I take 60 mg Dexilant made by Takeda and it does work as well as the Dr Ready’s, but that’s because it is the original prevacid before it went generic, good medicine. I will continue to take the dexilant since my condition is serious and I also have barrett’s. Dexilant isn’t the originalPrevacid but for now it help’s. And I am enrolled in their discount program so, until United Healthcare pays for Dr. Reddy’s I’ll take the dexilant.

Dexilant costs $186 for a month’s supply. My insurance pays some but it leaves me paying $95 a month for it.

I decided to try to get by on only 30 mgs of lansoprazole a day and see what happens. I have Barrett’s Esophagus and I do lose my voice without the lansoprazole. The Dexilant works, but it’s too expensive.

So, this week I started taking two 15 mg Prevacids.

But while I was at WalMart’s I saw their Equate brand of lansoprazole, which costs less than Prevacid.

While I’m tempted to think that lansoprazole will be as effective, no matter what brand it is, I read a review online about the Equate brand that said it does not work for someone.

Has anybody here tried WalMart’s Equate brand? If so, did it work for you, and had you tried Prevacid and/or Dexilant previously? Can you compare how well they work?

Patsy, I have not tried the Equate lansoprazole but I have experienced the switch between Prevacid and the generic lansoprazole. I was skeptical at first and thought I went through a couple days when it didn’t seemed like it was working as good, but after a few days everything was normal. I use alot of Equate stuff and have not noticed a difference beween it and the name brand. If the Equate works than you’ll save money. When I went from Prevacid, which cost me $50, the generic price dropped to $10. When I discovered I could tolerate 15 mgs instead of the 30s, I tried to have the script changed. But the insurance co. will only cover the higher does since the lower is OTC. I just buy empty capsules and split the dose. Its really simple to do. Try the Equate and Good luck.

Some posts here indicate that there is a different in the prescriptions between brands, and that seems to me to be sort of incredible. How can it be called lansoprazole, with the only change being how many mgs, and yet be a different prescription? I just don’t see it.

And that should mean that, no matter what the brand, 15 mgs of lansoprazole is the same in one brand as it is in another brand.

I will try the Equate when I run out of the Prevacid otc. The strongest I can buy otc is 15 mgs, so I will take it twice a day to get up to 30 mgs.

I have been on Dexilant 60 mgs, so I can’t expect this to work better.

Here is something many seniors may not realize. If you have Medicare prescription insurance, meds like Dexilant will push your total med costs so high, so fast, that you will end up having to pay 100% of your prescriptions when you hit the donut hole.

With Dexilant, and my other meds, I was facing running into that donut hole at the end of August. So for four months I’d have to pay 100%.

That’s why I’m dropping Dexilant. I am unable to drop my heart and asthma meds. I’ve tried stopping both and found that it was a very bad idea. I hope I do better on dropping lansoprazole from 60 mgs to 30 mgs.

I look at these little pills and capsules and I’m not stupid enough to think it really costs almost $200 to make 30 of them. That’s ridiculous. I wish our government had a better handle on how these pharmaceutical companies squeeze ill people out of their savings so they can have the ungodly profits they make. But that’s another topic.

Wow Patsy, I’ll be into that Medicare situation in a few years, sounds scary. I guess there is no guarantee that the mg value between the mfgs is the same, but if it says 15 mgs, I’d expect 15 mgs. But one thing to consider, after rereading this whole blog today, your 60 mgs of dex is actually 120 mgs of lansopazole according to some. I was generally thinking it was about mg to mg where 60 mg of dex was like 60 mg of lansoprazole. So that being said, its only going to be your experimentation that will tell how the transition will go. In my case, I slowly weined my way down, If I were you and the pervacid was workin right now, I’d immediately try the generic prevacid while you still had the name brand. In case the generic doesn’t work, you got the name brand right there to fall back on. Let me know how it goes, and the best of luck to you.

Hypomagnesemia, I went through this thread the other day and noticed we haven’t heard from you since getting off the dexilant. I mentioned it to my wife and she decided to go off the DEX cold turkey. It worked for her. She hasn’t had any GERD symptoms in a week. I decided to use your plan of extending the the time between my doses and I am up to 40 – 48 hours between them. So how has it been, since it is going on a year since your last reply?

A couple of weeks ago I started taking a Dexilant every other day, and in-beween I took two 15 mg Prevacids a day.

When I had finished the Dexilants I had, which was about a week, then I went to taking 15 mg Prevacids twice a day.

At first I waited 12 hours between the pills, but that was a pain to keep up with – too much focus on when my stomach was empty, and how long after the pills before I could eat. I usually try to take the first pill in the early a.m. when I first wake up (often around 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.). Then I don’t have breakfast for at least two hours to give it time to work.

Now I am taking both doses of 15 mg Prevacid early in the a.m.

I do notice a difference from Dexilant.

The reason I went to the doctor in the first place and ended up with the Dexilant prescription was that the reflux was causing me to lose my voice. It had gotten so bad, I had to let someone else answer the phone when it rang.

The Dexilant stopped that. About a 90% improvement.

The Prevasid, now, is allowing my voice to be compromised again. But so far it is not as bad as it was before the Dexilant.

Now, I’m taking 30 mgs of lansoprazole a day, and with Dexilant I was taking 60 mgs. That’s why the difference.

I’m was spending $100 a month for my share of Dexilant after insurance. Now, with the Prevacid it’s about half that.

If I increase my dose of Prevacid, I still would not have the same financial problem that I had with Dexilant.

This is very important for seniors on Medicare.

There is a donut hole. Once you have paid a certain amount a year for your prescriptions, you go into the donut hole and you pay 100% from then to the end of the year.

If I take otc Prevacid and pay $100 a month for it to get the 60 mgs, that cost will not count toward putting me into the donut hole. So $100 worth of Prevacid a month is better than $100 of Dexilant a month.

The insurance companies have figured that out. They do not want you to take Dexilant. They prefer you keep the whole thing off their insurance.

Unfortunatel, taking 4 Prevacids a day to get the 60 mgs is a real pain. But it’s the best alternative.

Patsy, I guess that is the key, if you can get the same results taking the lansoprazole at less cost, than its better than hitting the donut hole and easier on your wallet. But after rereading this blog the other day, it was said that 60 mgs of dexilant is actually equal to 120 mgs of the lansoprazole. So if that is in fact true and you are getting by on 30 mgs of lansoprazole than you have actually made significant headway toward reducing your dose. How do you feel about that?

“Prevacid is a 50/50 mix of the R-isomer and L-isomer of one molecule. Dexilant is comprised of just the R-isomer (the active isomer) of that molecule. It’s the same molecule. Taking 60 mg of Dexilant is like taking 120 mg of Prevacid.”

Patsy, just reread this blog and its explained a few times through it ie ludditeandroid wrote previously. What dose are you currently taking and how does that cost compare to the Dex you were paying for? Do you have a secondary insurance? If so. I thought that it would prevent you from hitting the donut hole.

I wish you would update this post. I have been on prilosec 80mg/day prevacid 90mg/day. I’ve tried all of the OTC medications. The only one I haven’t had yet is nexium. Dexilant has worked better than _any_ of the other medications for me. Please keep in mind that not everyone has the same reaction to different medications. For instance, some people do not metabolize their medications like others and therefore may have problems when it is the metabolite of the medication that is supposed to help.
That said, even dexilant only helps about 80%. It is what it is.

“Prevacid is a 50/50 mix of the R-isomer and L-isomer of one molecule.
Dexilant is comprised of just the R-isomer (the active isomer) of that
molecule.”

The molecule referred to above is lansoprazole. Chemically the “R-isomer” mentioned above is called dexlansoprazole, and the “L-isomer” is called levolansoprazole.

You can think of these molecules as mirror images of each other – like your RIGHT hand and you LEFT hand. They both have the same shape, the same number of fingers, etc, but are arranged in opposite orientation to each other.

It has been demonstrated that the “R” isomer is the one that works most effectively as a proton pump inhibitor – this is why Takeda was able to release it as a new drug name (kapidex/dexilant) and get a patent for it.

I have found that REAL prevacid – which is a 50/50 mix of right handed + left-handed lansoprazole molecules – works great for me.

However I have tried two different “generics” for prevacid – referred to by the chemical name only of lansoprazole – same dosage as real “prevacid”, but neither of them worked. It was like I was taking nothing at all. I had constant unbearable raging heartburn.

It is my understanding that it is more timely/costly to produce dexlansoprazole than levolansoprazole. Thus I am suspicious as to what “generic lansoprazole” actually is.

Is it ALL levolansoprazole and no dexlansoprazole?? Or mixtures less than 50-50??? Or even perhaps this ratio varies by the manufacturer (there are many generic “prevacids” on the market now)????

I really need to find a “generic” for Prevacid that ACTUALLY works for me. I cannot afford the real thing anymore…..any ideas how to find out what is what as far as these “generics” go???

Three months ago I started feeling nausea every day, sometimes all day and bad; sometimes mild. Sharp pains in my head. Misery in my chest and upper back. I was on Dexilant.

I had an expensive CT scan and an EGD (which I do every year anyway because I have Barrett’s disease) and they found nothing at all. Nothing that should be causing that terrible nausea and other symptoms.

I decided to get off Dexilant and see if it helped. It was immediate. The very day I stopped taking it, I didn’t have nausea or any other symptom. The next day I felt very good again – able to walk without dizziness, able to move much faster again.

It’s not just Dexilant, though. Part of that time I was on Prevacid and it still happened. I think my system just suddenly rejected Lansoprazole.

I’ve been off of it one week and feeling very good. But I see signs of my voice going out again from the acid. Still, that’s better than feeling bad all the time.

I’ve read almost all the comments, well at least up till some in 2012.

I was on OMEPROZOLE and it sucked. Over a decade ago I was put on PRILOSEC as a prescription and it sucked then too.

I was just throwing up all day due to my gastric ulcer, which flared. I had been getting better on Dexilant but because of the cost switched to Omeprozole. I could tell it was not helping at all. Had no idea it was essentially Prilosec.

A month ago I never picked up my prescription of Dexilant, well I’m going to tomorrow, I got the card too, just thought I was “better”, well I am not “better” at all. This was a horrible flare.

I’m just going to have to pay for it.

For those on low income, go to TAKEDA PHARMECEUTICALS website & there is a link to get it free I think….

FOUND IT, go here to get it free – will only work if you really are low income

Irene — Dexilant is the rebranding of Prevacid, not Prilosec. The Prilosec is in the same family of drugs, but the closest substitute for Dexilant would be Prevacid (which is available as a generic called Lansoprazole).

If you contact your pharmacy, they should be able to fax your doctor to request a different drug if the Dexilant is too expensive.

I am about to switch from Dexilant 60 to Prilosec. Sometimes I have terrible night heartburn even if I take the Dexilant and I must admit, each and every time it is due to late night eating or eating foods that are acid reflux triggers. It is important to eat in moderation and not to eat late at night. Many of us (Not all of course) would not have to spend money and suffer discomfort if we followed this advice, that is my belief. I lean towards the spicier foods and cannot eat like I used to even if I take the meds.
Dexilant is getting too expensive and even with the savings card it is 120/month. And lately, I find that I am taking Pepcid during the day or in the evening so the Dexilant it not working completely.
Will get back to you on how things go. I can afford to take Dexilant but would rather use the money for something else.
Here’s hoping I have good luck.
Irene

I finally kicked Dexilant and all it’s otc cousins. I am much better. For the first time in years I have very very little acid reflux and none of the side effects from the meds. I am not losing my voice anymore due to the acid reflux I used to have that caused the Barrett’s Esophagus.

I’m amazed it made me so sick and when I quit I have been fine.

Btw, someone told me recently that eating an apple when you have acid reflux could help. When I stopped taking Dexilant, I started eating a lot more of veg salads and fruit. I’ve had apple almost every day.

I don’t want to say it’s the apples, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to try it and see if it works. I still sometimes have acid reflux but not often.

Not all the drugs mentioned are PPI’s . Tagamet and pepcid and zantac are a different class of medication .
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The dose of medications change based on the diagnosis. For someone with heartburn the otc dose is fine. If you have something like Barretts then you will likely need higher doses. I found a study and they used 60mg of prevacid for 3 years with good results. The max dose on Prevacid is 180mg but more than 120mg is not recommended. They may lower this soon because of all the bad press the PPI’s have gotten lately.

The question on the drug company goes both ways. You have a company that develops a medication and they spend years and many dollars to get it approved. The it goes off patient . So of course they look for alternative ways to make money .

By the way most hospitals do not carry Dexilant. So if your admitted you will likely get either Generic prevacid or Generic Protonix. I am suprised Protonix wasnt mentioned more.

This is Missy again. I am still getting a lot better, but I had way too much anxiety. I was looking for a way to buy Dexilant from any country cheaper & I can not find a way of doing it. Not Israel, not Europe, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Italy, France. At least online. If anyone has any idea of how to get it cheaper please let me know. The ACA is going to be a huge joke with this btw. We’ll still have to pay full whack for it.

I’m a nurse and tried all the OTC medications plus prescriptions and failed them all. Dexilant is the only one that has given me any relief. I can also HIGHLY recommend the webiste and book – Dropping Acid. It is evidence based information on GERD and diet and it works !!!!

i have taken different types of otc medication and rx. dexilant worked for me. the others made my reflux worst. i was trying to fine out the time of dexilant because the last time i took it was when it was called kapidex. will be calling my dr. asap for a rx for dexilant.

I have a hiatal hernia and bad acid reflux. None of the mainstream drugs like Omeprozole worked for me so I went on Dexilant (60mp) 6 months ago. Worked great. Sometimes get nauseated and wonder if it’s that. Just had my annual physical (I’m 68) and Doc said to stay on it if I like it. Trouble is that even with Medicare and a supplemental expensive Part D plan that I pay for, Dexilant is still $92. I am going to Mexico in a few days. Does anyone know about buying that drug (also known as dexlansoprazole) in Mexico and how much it cost. Also because I can’t take aspirin, Doc had ordered Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caff tabs but they are $81 for my copay. Can’t afford that either so I am going to try Mexico as well. Any answers would be appreciated.

Kapidex was the best thing that happened for my acid reflux, it helped the extreme problem the erosion of my estophagas and seemingly stopped the acid reflux problem. I was put on it for a 10 day period and then off 3 days and then 10 more days. My severe coughing stopped and other problems, however that was in 2010 when I had insurance and now I don’t 2014, so I was looking for the equivalent of Kapidex only an OTC version. So far two days into using the Prevacid I have not seen any changes like I did two days into using Kapidex. Kapidex was a excellent product for short term use. The cost I was not aware of, because my physician gave me free samples and told me I should/would be seeing the effect of it within two-to-three days!

Kimberly, what you are going through is why this country needs even more than Obamacare. We need a national healthcare system like so many other countries have and then we need to work on forcing big pharmas to bring their prices down to something reasonable. A government healthcare system can do that. You and I are just crying in the wind.

That said, I tried Dexilant and it worked but I couldn’t afford it. So when the free samples were gone that was the end of that. Finally, my gastroenterologist prescribed Pantaprazole. That is working for me as long as I make sure I don’t take it with a full stomach. For ME, if my stomach is empty, it makes me feel sick. It’s too strong. But if I have a little bit in my stomach and let it sit for a half hour, it works for me.

Perhaps if you worked around with the idea that you need to start out with an empty stomach when you take it. See if that isn’t too strong for your stomach. If not, then do that all the time. I prefer to take that kind of pill as soon as I wake up. That gives it a half hour to work before I have breakfast. Other people take such pills when they wake up in the night to go to the bathroom if that’s a pretty sure thing to happen. I have a friend who is diabetic and has to wait 2 hours after eating to test her sugar level, so she takes her Pantaprazole an hour after eating.

Also, and this is important, I have the Medicare prescription insurance and all I pay for Pantaprazole is $6 a month.

We are all different and what works for me may not work for you, but it’s all worth trying when we are struggling with Barrett’s esophagus and burning indigestion.

Since Kapidex worked you might want to try “Prevacid”. Real Prevacid is 50% Kapidex.

Real (NON-GENERIC) Prevacid is chemically called “lansoprazole” – which is actually a 50-50 mixture of two types of lansoprazole molecules – dexlansoprazole (which is what DEXILANT is) and levolansoprazole. Those compounds are mirror images of each other (like your left and right hands). Dexlansoprazole has shown to be a much more effective PPI than levolansoprazole. But it is more time consuming/expensive to make – as I understand it.

Do not bother with any of the “generic” versions of Prevacid/lansoprazole though. I have tried every single one. Some of them do not work for me one bit, others work only slightly. But REAL prevacid (NONGENERIC) works great. I suspect that the generics are either composed of ALL levolansoprazole (the cheaper and less expensive molecule) or a ratio much less than 50-50 of dex to levo.

I have tried asking each pharma company that makes “generic prevacid/lansoprazole” how much DEXlansoprazole is in their formula but each and every one refuses to directly answer that question – instead they just say verbatim “The FDA has rated our lansoprazole as an A/B equivalent”. What a racquet.

Prevacid is probably cheaper than Kapidex, but fyi, here in America I find that real (NON-GENERIC) Prevacid is now more than I can afford (about $800 for 3 months worth with no insurance or about $600 for 90 pills WITH insurance). So I buy it from Canada for about 1/2 of that ($350). I used to be able to buy REAL Prevacid made by Takeda sold as a “generic” marketed by Sando for only $180 per 3 months at Target, but that “fake generic” (great term – a generic that is actually the REAL thing!) has run out (Sando now has their OWN generic version of Prevacid/Lansoprazole, which does not work for me at all).

Hope some of that made even one lick of sense. The whole healthcare situation in this country (USA) is bassackwards. Everything is about making $$ hand over fist for big pharma & other corporations like “healthcare insurance”, and nothing, I mean nothing, is about helping sick people get well.